A Promised Land
The powerful political memoir from the former US President
-
-
4.5 • 83 Ratings
-
-
- $27.99
Publisher Description
THE #1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
The riveting, deeply personal account of history in the making?a record-breaking, critically acclaimed no.1 bestseller.
'Gorgeously written, humorous, compelling, life affirming' Justin Webb, Mail on Sunday
In the first volume of his presidential memoirs, Barack Obama recounts his journey from a young man searching for his identity to the 44th president of the United States, describing in strikingly personal detail his political education and landmark moments of his first term.
Reflecting on his presidency, Obama takes readers from his early political dreams to his Iowa caucus victory and the historic night of November 4, 2008, when he became the first African American president. It is the story of one man’s bet with history, the faith of a community organizer tested on the world stage.
Obama is candid about the forces that opposed him at home and abroad and bearing the expectation of a generation buoyed by messages of “hope and change”, and unafraid to reveal self-doubt and disappointment. Yet he never wavers from his belief that inside the great, ongoing American experiment, progress is always possible.
This beautifully written and powerful book captures Barack Obama’s conviction that democracy is not a gift from on high, but something founded on empathy and common understanding and built together, day by day
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Barack Obama made history as the first African American president, stepping into the highest office in the country in 2008 after only four years as a US senator. In the first volume of his two-part memoir, Obama gives us a revealing first-person perspective on the key events and issues that defined his first term. From his strained dealings with generals over the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to his battle to pass the Affordable Care Act and his mission to help the nation recover from the crippling 2008 recession, A Promised Land helps us see key moments in recent US history from the 44th president’s calm, balanced and often wryly funny perspective. We especially loved reading Obama’s observations about his staff and other world leaders. Some are small (staff pickup basketball games featured a lot of trash talk but no hard fouls, to avoid garnering the ire of the Secret Service…or the First Lady), and others are more significant, like his comparing Vladimir Putin to a small-time player in hardball Chicago politics. Obama’s writing is every bit as eloquent as his famously captivating speeches. We can’t wait to read the iconic leader’s take on his second term.
Customer Reviews
Great insight
Great book. Great detail. Great insight into the life of a POTUS. If he wasn’t in politics I think he would be universally admired. Unfortunately the world we live in only 50% of people can like him because of his political persuasion. Which is very unfortunate. A quality human being.
Yes you can
It’s tough going, but a rewarding read. The last chapter is the best.